Langevin, RICAPE reps talk agriculture at Farmer's Daughter

Sarah Partyka, owner of The Farmer's Daughter, gives the congressman a tour of the greenhouses.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) joined representatives of the Rhode Island Center for Agriculture Promotion and Education and other industry leaders Monday at The Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown to discuss the impact of recently awarded federal funding and industry priorities.

At the local garden center, the group discussed the economic opportunity that exists in agriculture and the $85,000 grant the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded to RICAPE to help promote Rhode Island’s farms to in and out of state visitors.

“I’m proud of the robust farming community in Rhode Island,” Langevin said. “Farms have a very important role in economic recovery. This award is a great testament to the fantastic work being done by RICAPE.”

RICAPE will use the grant to launch and deliver a web-based series of video training programs to Rhode Island’s farm operators and staff called “The Destination Farm in Transition.” This will help farmers learn how to promote “agritourism” at their farms, without having to leave their farms to attend a training course.

For the whole story, pick up a copy of Friday's The Narrgansett Times.